Ball

The two-dimensional QR code brings the opportunity to give the consumer more information on your design than ever before.

Where the wall of the can stops, the information continues in cyberspace.

QR code terminology

Take a look here
QR code guidelines

Interact here
QR code versions

Take a look here

QRCodeTerminology

QR code terminology

QR codes are classified by different version numbers ranging from 1 to 40. Each version specifies the number of modules used on the QR code. Each version has a maximum data storage capacity depending on the data type, the Character set (Numeric, Alpha numeric, Binary, etc). As the amount of data increases, more modules are required to store this data, resulting in larger QR codes.

QR Code Version	Number of modules square	Individual module size in mm
1	21 x 21	0.43	0.66
2	25 x 25	0.43	0.66
3	29 x 29	0.43	0.66
4	33 x 33	0.43	0.58
5	37 x 37	0.43	0.52
6	41 x 41	0.43	0.47
7	45 x 45	0.43	0.43

QR Code Version	Number of modules square	Quiet zone 9x module in mm
1	21 x 21	3.87	5.94
2	25 x 25	3.87	5.94
3	29 x 29	3.87	5.94
4	33 x 33	3.87	5.22
5	37 x 37	3.87	4.68
6	41 x 41	3.87	4.23
7	45 x 45	3.87	3.87

version number

modules

quiet zone

ECL

QRCodeVersions

QR Code Version	Error correction level	Number of alpha numeric Characters	Number of numeric Characters	Number of modules square	Individual module size in mm	Quiet Zone 9x module in mm	Min - Max size of code (incl. QZ)
Version 1	M	20	34	21 x 21	0,43	0,66	3,87	5,94	12,9	19,8
Version 2	M	38	63	25 x 25	0,43	0,66	3,87	5,94	14,62	22,44
Version 3	M	61	101	29 x 29	0,43	0,66	3,87	5,94	16,43	25,08
Version 4	M	90	149	33 x 33	0,43	0,58	3,87	5,22	18,06	24,36
Version 5	M	122	202	37 x 37	0,43	0,52	3,87	4,68	19,78	32,92
Version 6	M	154	255	41 x 41	0,43	0,47	3,87	4,23	21,50	23,50
Version 7	M	178	293	45 x 45	0,43	0,43	3,87	3,87	23,22	23,22

QR codes - module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

The maximum size of one module must be between 0.43 mm and 0.66 mm. Therefore the maximum area of one module is between 0.1849 mm² and 0.4346 mm².
QR codes - total code sizes

1

module size

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

While choosing the size of a code be aware of the bending surface of the can. Up to version 7 QR codes can be printed on a can (see more details in the QR code version section in this website).
Total QR code size (incl. quiet zone) should be:
* Minimum 12.90 mm
* Maximum 25.08 mm
QR codes - quiet zone

1

module size

2

total code sizes

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

Quiet zone surrounding the code must be 4.5 modules x module size.
QR codes - error correction

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

The error correction level should be set to level M upon code creation (see also the QR code terminology section in this website). The error correction level in a QR code is intended to fix defects which might occur during the print process. It does not fix defects which have been put in the code intentionally. Therefore we strongly recommend to avoid creative QR codes.
QR codes - colours

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

For optimal readability on QR codes it is best that the modules of a QR code are black or another dark colour, printed with a white infill colour. A good contrast between the modules and the infill colour increases the readability of the code. Ball does not recommend to use the aluminium of the can as the infill colour. This leads to decoding issues due to the reflection of the substrate.
QR codes - scaling

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

7

file format

8

code creation

9

readability

QR codes must always be square. It is not possible to truncate or scale a QR code. A transformed code cannot be decoded.
QR codes - file format

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

8

code creation

9

readability

Bitmapped codes can only be used to show the position of the code in the design. They cannot be printed on a can. All QR codes for can printing must be supplied as vector graphics. More information in point 8 in these QR code guidelines.
QR codes - code creation

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

9

readability

Ball have the necessary software to generate vector QR codes. Air gaps between the colours will be applied to protect the code. To help create the QR code please supply us with the required information as follows:
* QR code version number
* Total code size taking the QR code guidelines for can printing into account
* Character set to be encoded by the QR code
* QR code message or hyperlink
QR codes - code creation

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

9

readability

Ball have the necessary software to generate vector QR codes. Air gaps between the colours will be applied to protect the code. To help create the QR code please supply us with the required information as follows:
* QR code version number
* Total code size taking the QR code guidelines for can printing into account
* Character set to be encoded by the QR code
* QR code message or hyperlink
QR codes - readability

1

module size

2

total code sizes

3

quiet zone

4

error correction

5

colours

6

scaling

7

file format

8

code creation

There is no industry controlled standard for QR code scanning equipment. Every body with a smartphone and the relevant decoder app is able to try to decode a QR code. Therefore Ball does not guarantee the readability of the QR code.

QR codes

The Quick Response code has gained popularity over recent years in the packaging industry due to its large storage capacity and fast readability without the need of special scanning equipment. Everybody with a smart phone with a free decoder app is able to read the QR code.

Another advantage of the QR code is that it can be scanned from various different angles. The QR code is also able to repair itself should it be damaged.

When the code is read the hyperlink, email address or message is automatically displayed on the consumers' smart phone.

QR code terminology

QR code guidelines

QR code versions

QR code terminology

QR code versions

QR codes - module size

QR codes - total code sizes

QR codes - quiet zone

QR codes - error correction

QR codes - colours

QR codes - scaling

QR codes - file format

QR codes - code creation

QR codes - code creation

QR codes - readability

QR codes